Monday, June 13, 2011

Two events at a great Vermont bookstore!

I always like to let folks know when a writer is appearing at a bookstore or other location within a decent drive's distance. This double-header is a beaut!
Northshire Bookstore is a very big, very wonderful independent bookstore on Main Street in Manchester, Vt. Sure, it's a bit of a drive, but well worth visiting, and a must when you're in the area. It's rambling and chock full of good sections and selections; the children's books department is exceptional too. Plus - oh, joy - it has a neat cafe.

The multi-talented and well-known Roy Blount Jr. - humorist, reporter, actor, musician, author of books ranging from subjects such as the Pittsburgh Steelers to Robert E. Lee, and just what dogs are thinking, is a regular panelist on NPR's Wait, Wait . . . Don't Tell Me! ~ That alone lets anyone who hasn't heard Blount know that he's funny and quick-witted.
He'll be at the Northshire bookstore to present his newest book, Alphabetter Juice, a hilarious collection of English language riffs and raves.

A reception will be held at 6 p.m., before his appearance. There'll be light refreshments, coffee, and a cash bar in the Spiral Press Cafe. This event is limited to 40 people, and tickets are $15. Order online at the bookstore (www.northshire.com), stop by the store, or call 802-362-2200 or 800-437-3700. (Sessions like this help to pay for free programs, like the 7 p.m. talk).

Anyone can attend the free 7 p.m. session with Blount.

On the evening before - Friday - writer Jim Sheperd introduces his latest, You Think That's Bad, which follows Like You'd Understand, Anyway. He'll begin at 7 p.m. Shepard was awarded the Story Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award. He returns to the Northshire with an even more wildly diverse collection of stories.
Says the bookstore rep.: "Like an expert curator, he populates the vastness of human experience, from its bizarre fringes and lonely, breathtaking pinnacles to the hopelessly mediocre and desperately below average, with brilliant scientists, reluctant soldiers, workaholic artists, female explorers, depraved murderers, and deluded losers, all wholly convincing and utterly fascinating."
Has to be cool, right?